SPRINGFIELD – More big hitters are coming to the inaugural North Star Volleyball Jamboree – and we’re not talking about all of the on-court talent.
The preseason volleyball tournament, scheduled Thursday, Aug. 29 at Springfield High School, has the Millers playing host to Thurston, Cottage Grove, Creswell, and Pleasant Hill. While the games will be played from 12:30-3:30 p.m., players will be treated to a luncheon and keynote speaker from 11 a.m.-noon.
Jen Richardson, a familiar figure in the southern Willamette Valley who owns and operates Richardson Media, will be the featured speaker during the pre-jamboree luncheon.
“I am excited to share my story with the next generation of female leaders. It’s important for young women to hear stories of encouragement and inspiration, and to know there are others in this community who are rooting for them,” said Richardson, a former TV news reporter and anchor, including at KEZI in Eugene.
“I have a 10-year-old daughter growing up in a technology-driven world. It’s critical for her to stay connected and active, while being kind to others and herself,” she said.
Richardson, a Gilroy, Calif., native, earned her degree in Broadcast Communications from the University of Southern California. She worked for nearly two decades in TV newsrooms across the country, and met her husband, Brian, who was also a news anchor; they went on to anchor the news together in two different markets.
In 2017, she moved from broadcast media to public relations and marketing. In 2019, she received the “20 under 40 Award,” recognizing the community’s brightest professionals from the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, along with the Exceptional Economic Development Marketing and Promotions award for outstanding contributions to Constructing a Brighter Future from the Oregon Economic Development Association. She has earned five Telly awards for outstanding videography.
In 2020, she opened Richardson Media, emphasizing videography, public relations and media training. She specializes in helping businesses make an impact and achieve their goals through clear and engaging messaging to their target audiences.
Richardson recently started teaching a media writing and public relations class at the prestigious School of Journalism and Communications at The University of Oregon. Philanthropy is also a big part of her life – she serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley, among other activities.
At the jamboree, players and coaches will receive a North Star Volleyball Jamboree T-shirt and a “swag bag” containing items from local businesses and organizations.
The bags themselves are sponsored by Best Roofing and Waterproofing, which sponsors the newspaper’s Athlete of the Week, and supports hyper-local journalism with its weekly front-page advertisement.
Best, through its sponsorship relationship with the University of Oregon, has also supplied Ducks merchandise – including volleyballs and jerseys – signed by current and former UO volleyball players.
Thanks to Gerber’s efforts, the UO volleyball players also taped a video supporting the schools and the jamboree. You can find it on Facebook.
Prime Time Sports Bar & Grill, locally owned and operated by Jason Martorano, has donated $5 wooden chips, Rory Tyler at Point S in Creswell donated four cases of bottled water, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce supplied a variety of knick-knacks, Candice Hook’s All-State Insurance, and RISE – a nonprofit for developmentally disabled people – provided many items for the swag bags.
